The clarion., 1887-04-27
Interstate Commerce.
An OPINION OF CAPT t. P. LEATHERs
THEREON.

In conversation had yesterday over
the interstate commerce bill Capt. L. r
feathers. a veteran of near fifty years |
of active and successful experience on |
the river. expressed himself as follows:
s.Won't you please say for me th9t
statements emanating from the railroads
should be received cum grdno satts. In
the effort to influence the commission,
exercise the people, and maintain them
selves. they are resorting TO desperate
means. and in which rather than tan
they would pull down the whole edihce'
In Sundays paper" said the captain
81 read that Mr.. Holmes Cummlhs'
counsel for the Louisville, New Orleans
and Texas road, had filed before the
commission schedules published by the
harge and steam boat lines, showing that
they made lower rates TO the competing
points than at way landings, thereby
strengthening his position IN his own
estimation, but at varlence Win bhe
vell.known fact that steamboats, nave
no rate TO point touched by the rali-
read. for the railroad itself likes the rate
at which the steamboat (the difference
in insurance deducted) must carry or 90
no business. The river rate on cotton
from Vicksburg to New Orleans Tor
wears has been 81, from points Shls size
down to Natchez 81, and from points
below 10 cents, an average OF Sl5 cents
per bale Now the railroad touches AT
but four points in all this distance, TO-
wit: Vicksbnrg, Natehez and Nldallai
therefore it has but little effect IN the
fixing of rates at the intermediate points,
vet they are never more than this, anu
are frequently below this average, be
cause of steamboat competition, cOndl-
ton that has prevailed TO greater or
less extent ever since | have been on the
river, and viii as long as men are aole
to build steamboats, OF their own. Now
the railroad has lowered the rate from
Vicksburg to 80 cents, but at points
away from the river and noncompliance,
charges S1.75 and 3, an average OF
SI.4l2 per bale. All of this Mr.. Gum
Minis, as a matter of course failed 10
state. If the railroad" said Capt.
I.eathers, "were compelled to charge all
of those with whom it did business as
nearly equal, as by reason OF river com
petition the steamboats, are forced to do,
| the demand for an interstate commerce
| bill would not have been nearly so
argent. But" said the veteran captain,
take the statement of Mr. Cummins as
| being correct, TIE difference In rates on
the river under every circumstance are
as little by steamboat as they are great
and disproportionate, as already shown,
by rail. The people along the rlyer
| have the choice of several rival lines OF
steamboats, by which they may at al
times ship, and having this choice, and
one line being just as anxious as the
other TO take all that offers, the people
almost have the fixing of rates, while on
the other hand, those on the railroad,
away from the river aud competition,
have no voice IS 70 rates, or choice as 70
carriers. and have to pay all that Is
exacted, in proof of which was the
meeting last fall of shippers at Holly
Springs, if | remember correctly, who
complained that they had TO pay 81 5C
on cotton to New Orleans, less than
twentv-four hours distant, and only
eighty-five cents to New York. seyera
davs away, and at which meeting the
railroad was petitioned for more
equitable and less discriminative rate
Now, in conclusion" said Capt. Leathers
"much will depend upon the interest IL
this matter shown by the merchants O
this city and other communities. Th'
. fight must not be left as between th'
railroad and the river alone. The stake
are too high and the results too seriou
and far reaching for that, for thu
triumph of the railroad means an irrevo
cable injury to the steamboat. Tn
people cannot rely upon or secure
cheaper rates of transportation uules
Z. they have or encourage rival means o
: transportation, and it is to neutraIize o
destroy such rivalry that all of tn
= talent, energy and resources of the aver
age railroad man is the most persistent
ly applied. For years" claimed tn
captain, ''the railroad has almost openl,
opposed river improvements; failing il
this they are nov building bridge
across the navigable highways that il
Z instances are as much an obstruction a
necessity, but their master effort is u
q establish such rates at river points
from where the bulk of the shipment
q are made, as to divert shipments; no
that they actually want the same, bu
: because of the serious effect of this los
of business on the steamboat, we'll know
: ing that no matter how great their los
in its carriage, they can recoup iron
points less fortunately situated, whi
the steamboats, could not This unequa
advantage, which the interstate bill re
p moves, has contributed more than al
other causes combined to discourage tn
building of steamboats,, to force exDerl
enced river men into other employments
.. to keep the present river tonnage un
employed the major part of the year
and the continuance of which will de
stroy the through lines of boats an.
leave the business of the river to til,
: dinkies between local points. Such
contingency as this stares the merchant
in the face, and it is left for them t,
decide, and we must stand or fall upol
their decision"